Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we're delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you're looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

• Manages assigned region to ensure efficient and cost effective operations. Determines appropriate staffing levels, establishes service level standards and operating procedures,and implements policies and procedures as needed to ensure facilities and operations run safely and smoothly. Oversees the safety program for the area.
• Directs the development and preparation of the annual capital and operating budgets for assigned operations. Determines short and long term budgetary needs including plans for maintenance, labor and and major water/wastewater facility upgrades. Reviews monthly capital and operating budgets for adherence to budgetary guidelines. Provides explanations for variances as needed. Communicates and discusses budget and associated costs with staff to ensure awareness.
• Manages the site operations team. Interviews, hires, sets high performance standards and manages performance in accordance with all applicable HR policies and procedures. Creates an energized work environment, fostering an atmosphere that enables employee trust and engagement. Inspires confidence and motivates others to perform at their best. Develops and coaches staff while effectively addressing performance issues.
• Acts as a role model for water/wastewater stewardship to minimize environmental risks associated with the assigned water and wastewater systems. Develops and implements a comprehensive plan for maintaining and enhancing facility compliance. Leads compliance-related activities, i.e., capital renovations.
• Supervises maintenance and capital renovations and additions to water and wastewater systems. May be involved in schematics or design work for repairs, replacement parts and new installations.
• Handles elevated issues for the assigned site(s). Interacts with employees, managers and customers regarding questions, problems or issues, prioritizes and addresses them promptly; notifies customers of upcoming service adjustments or maintenance procedures.
• Partners with the business development team and other internal departments in coordinating and negotiating with developers regarding new systems and municipal acquisitions. Assists in the identification, due diligence and smooth transition of acquisitions.
• Negotiates with vendors regarding supplies and/or services needed. Hires and oversees contractors and subcontractors.
• Manages daily operations at the site. Assesses daily events, assigns and schedules staff and directs work activities as needed. Institutes effective vehicle and equipment maintenance processes and procedures to ensure safe operating conditions.
• May serve on Emergency Call or Relief Call.
• Interacts with regulators regarding current regulations, permit compliance and other matters regarding water and wastewater operations.
• Monitors lab results to ensure they are in compliance with acceptable operating procedures and regulatory requirements. Monitors wastewater discharge monitoring reports to assure that all facilities are compliant and operating efficiently.
• Reviews and prepares operational reports, working with others throughout the organization to develop, implement, track and report on key operational metrics. Uses technology where appropriate to monitor operational statistics. Enhances and improves operational efficiencies while minimizing risks. Maintains awareness of trends and new methods to increase productivity and quality within scope of authority and control.
• Leads other related activities as needed.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications, science, engineering or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years operations management experience with demonstrated ability to lead a team
• Minimum of 2 years water/wastewater utility experience
• Must possess or be able to obtain within 2 years of hire date, Grade I wastewater certificate and C-Well water certificate.
• Valid Drivers license
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough understanding of Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act.
• Ability to to understand and oversee water and wastewater system operations and equipment, maintenance, repair and renovation of said equipment.
• Basic ability to use Microsoft Office suite: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
  

Overall Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Working Conditions

• May be subject to extreme temperatures noise wet and/or humid conditions; mechanical electrical gas exposure hazards fumes dusts mists gases and/or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions. Lifts and carries up to 100 pounds.
• Occasional travel

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.